Gangtok

The Kingdom of Sikkim which was not a part of India decided to merge its state with the Indian Republic in the year 1975. With that decision, India got a gift of a beautiful hill station know as Gangtok, capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The journey to this stunning place is equally beautiful and 90% of the road is by the side of the river Teesta.

Gangtok is situated at an altitude of 1437 meters above the main sea level. There is hardly any plateau in Gangtok and the entire place is located on different steps at various levels which add a special dimension to the view of the place. The word “Gangtok” has been derived from the Tibetan word for “hillside”. Although Sikkim has taken pains to preserve its history, ancient traditions, culture as well as historic monuments which are of religious significance to them, at the same time, it has taken care to keep pace with the modern age by building hospitals, wide roads and other modern amenities that the new age citizen wishes to have.

During the British rule, Sikkim was an important trade centre between India and Tibet. Gangtok has been the capital of the state of Sikkim since 1894. When India gained independence in 1947, Sikkim chose to remain an independent monarchy till 1975 when due to certain internal circumstances; it decided to become a part of the Indian Republic. During the Sino-Indian war when the Nathu La Pass was blocked for trade, Sikkim suffered economically. However, since 2006, the pass has been reopened and it has thrown open new opportunities for trade between India and Tibet and a gateway to the prosperity of the Sikkimese.

Sikkim has a long tradition of association with Buddhism. It boasts of quite a few ancient Buddhist monasteries and temples. The chief amongst them being the Enchey Monastery established in the latter part of the 19th century. These Buddhist temples have made Gangtok an important site of pilgrimage for Buddhists all over the world. The town’s former Royal Palace, the open-air Lall market and the Namgyal Institte of Tibetology also evoke the tourist’s interest. Lush parks and gardens are also spread over the landscape.

The city of Gangtok is quite cosmopolitan with people of different ethnicities such as Nepalese, Chinese, Tibetans, and Indians living side by side and celebrating the Sikkimese festivals like Losum and Losar enthusiastically. Gangtok also enjoys communal harmony despite the diversity of ethnic backgrounds in its population of about 80,000. Due to the multiplicity of the cultures in its population, Gangtok also offers a multi-cuisine menu to its tourists to satisfy everyone’s culinary habits. Gangtok market also offers a very different kind of merchandise with Buddhist designs right from carpets to wall hangings and many items of handicrafts. Lall Bazaar is one of the best and cheapest areas for shopping.

Overall, Gangtok offers a totally different and absolutely satisfying experience to every visitor. The best time to visit Gangtok is from March to late May or October to mid-December.

Wods cant described its beauty. It is amazing, beautyfull, charming and attractive hill station. No other hill station can be compared with this gem of beauty. Realy, realy enjoyable lovely and master piece on earth. Must visit.

Beutiful place to visit.I visited twice and want to visit again it has natural beuty cant imagine without going there.At this place you can have experience of visiting some foreign country like switzerland.

Lovely Pictures.
I am fortunate enough to have visited gangtok and the nearby places a couple of years back. Seeing the photographs made me go back a couple of years when i saw all these wonderful places. The drive from siliguri to Gangtok with river Teesta beside us is really very enchanting.
Anand Murthy

I was fortunate to visit Gangtok and many surrounding towns in year 1982.Indeed a Haven,most scenic and seren place on earth.Beautiful place,people and food.Worth visiting once in life time or best choice to spend a vacation.Look forward to visit this wonderful hill station.

Could anyone advice me on travel to Sikkim. I am a Malaysian and I intend to travel from Malaysia to Kohlkata then…….please advice. Do foreigners need a special permit to visit Sikkim.
I can only apply for a tourist visa to visit India…
Regards
Bala Chandransaicanran@yahoo.co.uk

We really enjoyed Sikkim which we visited a few years back
The excursions from Gangtok were great
We went also to see the Indo- Chinese border at Natu-la and also the frozen Tsogo lake. All in all a great holiday
The people are very friendly and one should try the MOMOS even though we are vegerarians

Beautiful mountains,Fantastic house buildings on the hills,Art of paintings over the temple and other natural scenes make everyone, no doubt pleasure. Gangtok the capital city of Sikkim is a lovely and cool one to rejoice.

WE HAD BEEN TO GANGTOK ALONG WITH MY SISTERS FAMILY TWO YEARS BACK AND YUMTHANG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT WE HV EVER SEEN GOOD DICIPLINE EXCELLENT TRAFFIC CONTROL AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE AROUND SUPERB

I was there at the highest Conference Hall of ASIA very near to Lamp Post, which is in the custody of China due to negligence of our Army Officer’s mistake long back. But the climate as well as scenes of Sikkim are so mar-bolus/ Fantastic.

It is heaven on earth.After Dargeeling Gangtok is the most beautiful place ib North East India.I have travelled in Sikkim even when it was a kingdom and plan to travel again and again now that it is a part of India.

Very beautiful, indeed. It would be much better if the info about how to reach the place, what are the accommodations available, whether there is any Muslim restaurant serving Halal food is given. Anyways, thanks.

Sikkim is beautiful, but to my opinion, more beautiful than the pics. The tranquil beauty of Sikkim can be imbibed in one’s inner self even in different seasons. I have visited twice but like to go there again.

An extract from my Diary of 1st Oct’2012(My 3rd trip to Gangtok)
In the morning while I was leaving Gangtok..I found the city was in a gloomy mood;I asked what so happened which make you gloomy,She doesn’t uttered a word rather her gloominess increases-which make me understand that she was upset as I was leaving..
Leaving the city in grievance of departation,I hire a cab….on the way I found the great Himalayan range in the form of landslide lying in the road;I asked what happen dear..he smiled and answered “I am here to wish u a happy and pleasant journey…which make me very pleased..
On reaching SINGTAM I found she ws flowing her tear at TISTA…I asked not to weep but to smile..so she smiled and ordered the mighty river Tista to accompany me for amusement..The river and the hills recreates me the whole journey….

Hills recreating me and river playing hide and seek with me reached SEVOKE;here comes the time for departation with hill and river too…
Hill stop there saying “My range is upto here and i couldn’t accompany you,but will be waiting here and longing your way”also the rives stops a microsecond smiled and said my route is in othr direction so let us depart here…promising you’ll visit again;so i promised to visit Sikkim again in 2013 hearing which turns the hill happy and more green and the river happily aftr listening my promise running swiftly shouted”HAPPY JOURNEY GO SOON MY COUSIN MAHANANDA IS LONGING YOUR WAY”….
And finally i reachd Siliguri where I found Mahananda longing my way …and the Siliguri city rocking in happiness of my RETURNS….
MISSING SIKKIM AND HER BEAUTY!!

The Kingdom of Sikkim which was not a part of India decided to merge its state with the Indian Republic in the year 1975. With that decision, India got a gift of a beautiful hill station know as Gangtok, capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The journey to this stunning place is equally beautiful and 90% of the road is by the side of the river Teesta.

Gangtok is situated at an altitude of 1437 meters above the main sea level. There is hardly any plateau in Gangtok and the entire place is located on different steps at various levels which add a special dimension to the view of the place. The word “Gangtok” has been derived from the Tibetan word for “hillside”. Although Sikkim has taken pains to preserve its history, ancient traditions, culture as well as historic monuments which are of religious significance to them, at the same time, it has taken care to keep pace with the modern age by building hospitals, wide roads and other modern amenities that the new age citizen wishes to have.

I AM THE NATURE L OVED PERSON. I HAVE TRAVELLED MANY PLACES IN INDIA AND ABROD. BY READING YOUR POSTING REGARDING GANGTOK, IAM EAGER TO VISIT THE PLACE WITH FAMILY AND CHIDRENS IN AND ARROUND THIS STATE, LIKE MANIPUR, ARUNACHAL PRADESH, MEGHALAY, SIKKIM ETC. KINDLY TELL ME ABOUT SAFTY AND OTHERS DISTERBABCES FROM TERRESTS, MOISTS, AND OTHER DISTERBING PEOPLE INDIAN IN THAT AREA. IAN VERY EXITED BY YOUR PHOTOS. POSTINGS AND DECIDED TO MUST. SEE PLACE

We in India try to glorify the beauty of other countries. We tend to forget that the nature has provided this great country of ours with lots and lots of beautiful landscape, icy mountains etc etc., The place is marvellous and one has to enjoy these beauty of nature.

The night view of this beautiful hill kingdom looks
like dream land .Though I have seen many hill side tourist
locations /places ,but it has fascinated me & I wish I could
be there .Thank you for sending this lovely mail

What impressed me most about the fascinating Himalayan kingdom’s capital Gangtok is the safety it offered women. Women can move about the Market Plaza in Gangtok even late at night, without any fear.No eve teasing or other forms of harassment of women. How many States in India can boast of being such a haven for India?
Maleeha Raghaviah

Gangtok is a very beautiful hill station. The temp. is is never high and the place is cool and peaceful. The Gods resides there. Indian has many beautiful place to visit.We are Indians we should be proud of our heritage.

Very impressive! not only the beautiful landscape, but the reassuring remark by a tourist who has been there recently, that ‘it is a safe place for women’, and that there is no eve-teasing or ‘harassment of women’, and women can safely walk in the shopping area without fear,even late at night. It is to be hoped that such unusually good conditions will remain the same,in future too.

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